The Softest Things That Make Good Gifts, According to 12 Moms

Moms who love to lounge might enjoy a swingy pajama set or cool-to-the-touch robe. “I like to have comfy PJs that I can change into the instant I walk into the apartment after work,” says Amanda Freeman, the founder and CEO of fitness brands SLT and Stretch*d. She lives in this short pajama set from Strat-favorite brand Eberjey, because she finds that they’re comfy and practical for getting down on the floor to play with her young kids. “I’ll even be seen in my lobby in them, which is where I end up pre-bedtime to appease my kids’ desire to run around outside the apartment. “

For new mothers, Katerina Schneider, the founder of multivitamin company Ritual, flagged this decadent cashmere onesie as one of her favorite multifunctional pieces. “Although it’s not technically pajamas, I treat them as such because who doesn’t love something you can wear to the office, play with your toddler in, and then also pass out in?” It works well for expecting mothers, too, since it has enough stretch to accommodate a growing belly.

And if your mother has a refined taste for silk, Andy Spade’s sleepwear line Sleepy Jones might be to her liking: It’s a Strategist favorite (and coveted by celebrities like Karlie Kloss). Here’s a silk pajama shirt to help her feel fancy while she’s reading the paper or watching TV on weekends — it’s even airy enough to wear in the summer.

In our investigation of the best bathrobes, California-based home and bedding brand Coyuchi came up as one of the best options for robes made with organic materials. Kelly Love, the co-founder of organic cleaning brand Branch Basics, suggested their Catalina linen robe as a luxurious, terry-lined thing to give to a fellow mom (she recently gave one to a close friend).

Traditional fluffy robes are nice, but not for everyone. Complice PR founder Jessica Wells explains that while she’s into the idea of a plush robe, “It’s just too hot in warmer months.” As a mother of two girls, she says, “All I want is a flattering robe that fits comfortably and feels luxe.” This robe from Soma fit the bill for her, which she credits to the soft rayon fabric and the pockets for storing things when she’s on the go — “a huge bonus.”

The mom who doesn’t like to be spoiled might just want an update of the basics she wears every day: this is the opportunity to introduce her to a brand she might not know already (or to replenish her favorites). Charlotte Hale — the CEO and founder of sustainable clothing brand Plum Pretty Sugar — says her mother-in-law likes to cater to her love for Vince, the brand that makes “the most beautiful T-shirts.” These are her go-to tees for layering, because they’re “soft, wash well, and go with everything!”

And you really can’t go wrong with anything linen from Eileen Fisher, who basically led the movement of moms wearing linen from head to toe. Here’s an unfussy top to wear around the house in the summer that isn’t terribly expensive.

A mom who’s a frequent flier (or just likes cozy things) might love a cashmere sweatpant. We’d suggest these tapered Everlane sweatpants, which came recommended by Denise Lee, the founder of activewear brand Alala in our roundup of the best travel pants. Cashmere is luxuriously soft, of course, but Lee notes that it also “regulates temperature well, when dealing with the unpredictable air-conditioning on airplanes.”

We own and love a few pairs of Athleta tights because they tend to be the softest, smoothest things to wear for a workout (or while out and about). Their line of tights in the Powervita compression fabric feels especially buttery-soft and delightful on your skin — it’s something to look into if your mom’s a fitness fanatic.

Throws are ideal for cozying up on the couch, which is why they’re so popular among moms. Faux fur throws might be preferred during the holidays, but a light alpaca weave is more practical for spring and summer. Eunice Byun, the co-founder of modern kitchenware brand Material, received this baby alpaca throw as a gift from her best friend, and suggested it for a mom like herself “who always runs a little cold.” The Citizenry worked with handweavers in Peru to produce this, which Byun describes as “one of those can’t-stop-touching-it, decadently soft blankets.”

A soft cotton-blend beach towel (or a set of them) can also be a thoughtful gift — especially a lightweight terrycloth one like this, which is large enough to double as a wrap or a light blanket. Hale “has a thing for pretty beach towels,” and likes to give her friends and family these striped ones from the Beach People (creators of the original roundie towels) in a gift basket. “They’re always well-received,” she notes.

Margaret Rhodes went deep on all the best linen things to buy for summer, and highlighted the brand Summerill x Bishop as a rarity for its splashy, patterned linens. “They look like an homage to Josef Albers’s square series, sewn together out of Italian linen for the table,” she said. This blue, color-blocked tablecloth is just one example, and it might be the soft, indulgent thing she would appreciate for entertaining guests.

And if your mom is looking to refresh her bedding, or for something lighter than the cotton duvet cover she’s owned since the ’90s, this silky bamboo duvet cover from Loomstead is the softest thing we own. Compared to other cooling bamboo bedding out there, it looks very luxe, too, and the price point is not prohibitive.

Cozy feet accoutrements can also be thoughtful for moms who are constantly running around. Amy Nelson — the founder and CEO of the Riveter, which creates work-spaces catered to women — recommends these Barefoot Dreams socks as a gift because “they feel like walking on a cloud.”

Sheepskin slippers were another popular cozy-footwear suggestion. Melissa Duren Conner, the managing director at JBC Public Relations, says these Emu ones are the best money she’s ever spent, and recommends them for any new or working moms who need a pick-me-up. “I love them because they are not ‘mom’ slippers, you know what I mean?” she says. They’re more like “a hug for your feet” and she says they’re “exactly what you need at the end of the day when your 5-month old is up at 4:30 a.m. three times a week and you work full-time.”

Nicole Centeno, the founder and CEO of holistic wellness startup Splendid Spoon, also recommended these sheepskin Armor Lux slippers. “My ex actually gifted me these six years ago and I am still obsessed with them,” she says. She loves that they’re cozy and warm with hard soles that will last for a long time. They’re also stylish and less schlub-y than the average slippers, so she likes to wear them even at dinner parties. “They always get compliments.”

We’ve recommended this microwavable Sonoma lavender pillow before as the best way to relieve neck tension, and author and motivational speaker Chari Twitty-Hawkins tends to agree. It’s one of the best gifts she’s ever received because “it helps on my rough days with the kids and soothes tight and sore muscles on my neck and shoulders.” She adds that it can be used anywhere, anytime: “while working, cooking, laying down, or tending to your kiddos.”

If she likes a colorful scarf, JSQ Digital’s creative director Jenée Naquin tipped us off to a New York–based silk scarf line called Andie and Erin. Prints are one-of-a-kind and inspired by a range of famous women. “I discovered them a few months ago,” says Naquin. “I first got the FLOTUS with the MOSTUS, Michelle Obama, and am eyeing this Iris Apfel one next for both myself and my mom.” Each one comes with a storyboard of the woman who inspired the design, another reason she likes them. “I love all the women in their collection, so collecting them is kind of addictive.”

And we heard from a range of fashion-industry experts this past winter that black-and-white printed silk scarves would be the next big trend in neckwear. Silk was a little premature back then, but it’s officially silk scarf season now, so consider buying her a sweet little graphic print like this.